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Why Did You Wear That: For the Birds

By |March 6th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

striped dress bird bathEveryday around the same time, a flock of birds shows up at this little bird bath.  I’m not talking like one or two.  I am talking about ten to twenty at a time.  It’s like birds gone wild at spring beak (too many fowl puns?).  Something about this little bird bath seemed very French to me.  I’m not sure why.  Do they even have birds (les oiseaux) in France?  Doesn’t matter.  It seemed like a perfect place to put on one of my favorite knit dresses with wedge booties and beret and channel my inner French girl.  While it’s been abnormally warm, the air does start to chill when the sun goes down.  That’s why it’s imperative to always have a jacket and scarf on hand.  Cherry nails and lips are the perfect accents for an all black and white ensemble.

striped black and white dress

striped dress details

striped dress black and whitedress: Zara, jacket: Andrew Marc, cashmere scarf: Nordstrom, hat: Urban Outfitters, shoes: Franco Sarto, bag: Kwigy Bo, nail polish: Essie Lacquered Up

1. Dolce Vita Bayley Dress, $176, 2. Bark n Bag Monaco Pet Tote, $48, 3. Cooperative Woven Wedge, $109, 4. Members Only Sylvia Leather Jacket, $140, 5. Wyatt Black Wool Cashmere Knit Hat, $85, 6. John W. Nordstrom Cashmere Scarf, $56.90

And I never leave home without my best accessory… Smitty.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: No Grey Area

By |February 14th, 2012|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|


black and white wallFor those who don’t know me, it may seem strange that my favorite colors are black and white (since black and white aren’t technically considered “colors”).  Much like I try to live my life, I also like my palette to be very black and white.  I do love color very much, but there is something so crisp, so clean, and so refreshing about bold black and white patterns.  Whether it be stripes, dots, florals, geometric shapes, or just something totally abstract, I can’t get enough of these opposite shades.  From my clothing, to our home decor, black and white rule my world.  The best part of using black and white as your base?  The ability to punch it up with just about any color as an accent.

black and white wall photos

black and white graffiti wall

black and white wall los angelesI don’t want to tell Smitty, but he falls under this color scheme and it’s quite possible why I love him even more.  His soft white fluffy fur set off by those big black eyes and little black dot of a nose make him absolutely perfect. He is my best accessory afterall.  Want to incorporate some black and white into your life?  Here are several options of how to do just that:

black and white pattern clothing

1. Karen Millen Graphic Stripe Coat, $550, 2. Brian Atwood Aura Polka Dot Calf Hair Sandals, $1,370, 3. Lanvin iPad Cover, $135, 4. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses, $160, 5. Alice + Olivia High Striped High Waisted Pants, $242, 6. Equipment Star Print Washed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt, $250, 7. Alexander Wang Prisma Biker Purse, $325, 8. Charlotte Olympia Striped Canvas Platform, $950, 9. Sandro Ciseau Two Tone Silk Blouse, $285

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid Wisdom: There Will Be Unicorns

By |February 2nd, 2012|WhyDid Wisdom|

Hamlet and Ophelia

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”  – Hamlet Act III, scene III

You’ve probably heard this quote before… or maybe even even (mis)quoted it yourself.  But what does it really mean?  When this phrase is uttered (incorrectly or not), it is meant to say that one is so adamantly opposed to the “charge”, that one’s objection may indicate the exact opposite.

Have you ever caught someone in the midst of a lie and when you question that person, the alibi is so airtight that it’s almost too perfect?  There is such an elaborate excuse that you can tell it’s been pre-meditated?  Right around that time is when your antennae should go up and your brow should furrow.  Talk about a red flag.  The party in question is basically giving him/herself away.

It’s like when my dog (Smitty) pees on something.  He gets all worked up and it’s a dead giveaway.  Guilty as charged… hence another popular phrase, “Guilty dog barks the loudest.”

May seem like a straightforward explanation, but protest can also take the form of boasting or bragging.  As we all know (or at least should), boastfulness most times stems from deep insecurity.  Those who paint the prettiest pictures are usually the ones with the most to hide.

When I scroll through my Facebook feed and see people leaving elaborate status updates about how great life is or how much they are “over it” or how in love they are with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend, I feel really embarrassed for those individuals.  Partly because I’ve definitely been guilty of doing it before… so I can spot it from a mile away.  Here’s the thing, people who are living really fabulous lives are out doing just that… living their fabulous lives.  Not updating their Facebook pages.  People who are deeply in love with someone don’t have to broadcast it.  People who are over it… are over it.

So, next time you’re feeling bummed cause you see that everyone is out popping bottles alongside Jay-Z at the hottest club on the planet and there are models and unicorns- UNICORNS- there, just chuckle to yourself knowing that this is really code for sitting home alone watching Golden Girls with a quart of Haagen Dazs and there’s probably a cat involved… not that there’s anything wrong with that either.

The rest is silence.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Pet Project

By |January 23rd, 2012|Setting the Mood|

When people ask me what I’m passionate about, there are two things that always come up: fashion and animals.  I can understand why some might furrow their brows in confusion upon hearing that.  They don’t seem like two things that normally go together.  My parents thought I might become a veterinarian seeing as I was always begging for a new pet, be it a guinea pig or a pot belly pig.  I’m also the same kid who rescued and bottle fed baby squirrels and wild rabbits.  And I think I’ve been quite clear about Smitty.  Then again, my first temper tantrum was over a pair or red patent leather shoes…

I have always wished for a way to combine two of my great loves.  Just short of starting a dog t-shirt line, I haven’t been able to come up with much.  However, it seems I’m not alone in my love for all things furry.  These photos show just how much a pooch can add to your Prada or a kitty can jazz up your Calvins.  Turns out your furry friend may very well be your best accessory.

1. Space Living Bosco Dog Bed, $67, 2. Balenciaga Classic Dog Leash, $295, 3. Bark n Bag Luxury Plush Pet Toy Set, $32, 4. I LOVE MY DOG Sweater, $130

Sit.  Stay.  Good girl.

xx,

WhyDid

The List Volume 1/20

By |January 20th, 2012|The List|

I was not kidding about that pony.  I feel that in honor of my birthday, I should suspend the usual snark fueled list in order to honor some things that make me giggle with glee.  So, here are ten of many in no particular order.

  1. Benetint. I don’t know how else I can say it.
  2. Crispy rice spicy tuna.
  3. Have I ever told you about Smitty
  4. Love.  Surprisingly enough… I love love.  So hard.
  5. Prosecco.
  6. My beloved friends… though I often have to Photoshop us into the same place for us to all be together. 
  7. Shiny things and chandeliers.
  8. Classic television, ie; Golden Girls, Cheers, Who’s the BossDesigning Women, Full House, The Nanny … (yes, I’m old).
  9. My pink HB cashmere robe.
  10. Any good reason to celebrate and deck myself out.

Happy birthday to me (and the rest of you Capriquarius kids).

xx,
WhyDid